As a seasoned action movie enthusiast with a keen eye for detail and an appreciation for the art of Gun Fu, I must say that the John Wick franchise has been nothing short of a revelation. Each installment has consistently delivered high-octane action sequences, intricate plotlines, and a protagonist who is as lethal as he is relatable.
In the realm of action franchises centered around assassins, it’s commonplace to find a multitude of lifeless bodies. And just like these other on-screen characters, John Wick (portrayed by Keanu Reeves) isn’t an exception. As with many heroes, Wick had wished to step away from his past. He desired tranquility with his spouse, Helen, but their dog was slain and car stolen. Since that fateful day, nothing has been as it once was. Despite Wick being the primary executor of these terminations, there are numerous other ruthless minds linked to the High Table – a clandestine international organization comprising 12 of the world’s influential crime families.
Originating from a spec script called “Scorn“, this franchise is the creative offspring of screenwriter Derek Kolstad, who was on the verge of leaving Hollywood after penning 60 unproduced screenplays. His wife persuaded him to keep writing, resulting in some of the most ruthless films ever produced. Since Kolstad’s story debuted on the big screen, numerous fictional characters have met their demise, and with “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina” scheduled for release next year, this trend will continue. The silver lining? All these casualties are far from innocent souls.
So far, here is what the kill count for each film looks like.
4
‘John Wick’ (2014)
87 kills
It’s always enjoyable when bullies pick on someone who isn’t easy prey, and they end up suffering the consequences. In the movie “John Wick“, we encounter “Baba Yaga” as he mourns the loss of his wife Helen. After her arrangement for him to receive a beagle puppy upon his death, the dog makes life a bit more manageable during this difficult time.
In my humble opinion, I must confess that the film takes an unfortunate turn when the ruthless Russian gang, orchestrated by Iosef Tarasov, relentlessly pushes our protagonist. The initial attempt is to coerce him into parting ways with his cherished 1969 Boss 429 Mustang. However, his steadfast refusal prompts a violent escalation. Tragically, they invade John’s sanctuary, brutalize him, murder an innocent pup, and make off with the treasured muscle car. It transpires that Iosef is the wayward son of Viggo Tarasov, the formidable leader of New York City’s Russian mafia, whom John had previously served. Predictably, Viggo is infuriated by his prodigal son’s actions but, true to form, he endeavors to shield him. Nonetheless, John embarks on a relentless quest to confront and outmaneuver this formidable foe.
Fewer Enemies in the First Outing
As a cinema enthusiast, I’d put it this way: In the gritty world of John Wick, the odds are more manageable; it’s essentially one man against The Tarasovs, meaning fewer foes meet their end by his bullet. If Viggo had entrusted a select few loyalists with the task, the body count could have been even smaller. Here, the mob boss puts a price on John’s head, making him fair game for an array of assassins. In the real world, reliable hitmen are often at the beck and call of mob bosses, ready to handle such dangerous assignments.
The initial movie was produced on a significantly smaller financial basis, which meant that there wasn’t ample space to present an abundance of action scenes, as stated in the book “They Shouldn’t Have Killed His Dog – the Complete Uncensored Ass-Kicking Oral History of John Wick, Gun Fu, and the New Age of Action”. In this case, several main actors accepted lower paychecks than usual. Furthermore, Reeves invested his own money into the production, and the director made adjustments to various scenes in order to keep costs low.
3
‘John Wick: Chapter 2’ (2017)
122 kills
Action flicks often feature an overused plot point where protagonists, under the false impression, dream of a tranquil life filled with tulips and hugs. However, destiny always seems to knock at their door (or destroys it), as demonstrated in John Wick’s storyline during John Wick: Chapter 2.
Following his act of vengeance against the arrogant youth who had killed his pet dog, John attempts to return to a regular life. However, his peaceful existence is disrupted when Santino D’Antonio, the Camorra boss, approaches him with a request. Santino desires John to carry out an assassination on his sister, Gianna, so he can seize her position at the High Table. In Santino’s eyes, this would be a way for John to repay a debt that he owes from a past favor. Initially, John contemplates rejecting this deal, but Winston, the leader of the clandestine assassin organization, convinces him that honor and code must be upheld.
Wick Does the Bare Minimum
In John Wick Chapter 2, the main character John Wick carries out acts of violence due to his obligations. Unlike seeking revenge, he approaches these tasks with an attitude of “Let me get this done and move on.” He’s like a diligent office worker, always keeping an eye on the clock, waiting for it to strike 5. Additionally, he shows a higher level of discipline.
As a film enthusiast, I’ve noticed that a certain degree of productivity often arises when characters decide to break free from conventional norms, as we witness in many movies. The main character’s success rate tends to soar when he chooses not to follow the unwritten rules of his clandestine world. Since John isn’t particularly inclined to aid Santino in his endeavors, he resorts to selective violence less often. Interestingly, two key scenes significantly boost the body count: the initial scene where Santino sends goons to threaten John and the climactic third act where John confronts Santino’s henchmen after being falsely accused.
2
‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’ (2019)
173 kills
In “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum”, John Wick finds himself in a state of constant flight after being expelled and declared “excommunicado” for an unauthorized killing of Santino within The Continental’s premises. With a massive $14 million bounty on his head, he must battle waves of assassins to find a way back to the tranquil life he once knew. From barely avoiding death by touching the steps of The Continental to begging for safe passage to Casablanca from The Director (leader of the Ruska Roma crime syndicate), John employs every trick up his sleeve to survive.
Endless Threats
In Chapter 3, having a bit more duration and a larger budget allowed for an increased number of kill scenes. There was certainly potential for even more kills, if John Wick hadn’t been given an hour’s reprieve before his “excommunicado” status took effect. The assassins appeared swiftly and in large numbers, but John Wick is essentially a “one-man army,” so he managed to defeat them all. As with the previous films, most of the killings were executed through the art of Gun Fu, but the most striking one was when Wick snapped Ernest’s neck against a book.
1
‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ (2023)
289 kills
In “John Wick: Chapter 4”, instead of continuing to flee, our hero, Wick, escalates his battle and confronts The High Table. His journey leads him to Morocco where he eliminates The Elder, the one who holds the highest seat at the table. This act triggers a chain of events as a member of the High Table, Marquis Vincent Bisset de Gramont, grants Winstron unrestricted means to eliminate John. To carry out this task, he recruits Caine, a retired and blind High Table assassin, who is coerced into hunting down John. A threat is made against his daughter if he declines the assignment. However, seeking help, John finds solace at the Osaka Continental, run by his longtime friend Shimazu Koji. From there, the storyline becomes even more intricate.
Wick and Caine are the Perfect Action Duo
In the John Wick series, this movie stands out as the longest (169 minutes) and most costly production, with a budget of $100. The situation is intense, there are multiple battlegrounds, and the conflict stretches on, resulting in many casualties. Caine’s participation significantly increases the body count due to his ruthlessness, much like Wick himself. To put it simply, casting Donnie Yen without allowing him to annihilate countless enemies would have been a missed opportunity. In fact, Caine is so impressive that plans are underway for a spinoff focusing on this character.
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2024-12-16 02:32